Tag Archives: future

Without a doubt, SCUBA is one of the most gear intensive sports out there. And if you’ve seen a diver all geared up pre-dive, then you might think they look like aliens from Mars. At least that’s what I thought the first time I saw a diver. Buoyancy compensators and air regulators and dive computers. Masks and suits and snorkels. They look like characters from a science fiction novel. And while some modern gear might be the science fiction of the past, it’s interesting to think about the future. What kinds of gear will divers have 10, 20, even 100 years from now? While we can’t make completely accurate guesses, we can search around to see what others are thinking. Whether serious predictions or fanciful guesses, what follows are some people’s idea of SCUBA science fiction.

TRITON Oxygen Respirator Concept

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You might have seen renderings of this concept filtering around the web. The designer of the Triton must have been a Star Wars fan, because it seems to function (or wants to function) like the breathing devices Obi Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn used to dive the depths of Naboo. While a functioning prototype might never be available for many engineering reasons, the idea of breathing underwater without the cumbersome SCUBA gear sounds appealing. Will it ever happen? Probably not. But it’s fun to dream.

Jet-Propulsion Swimming Robot Legs

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DPV, or Diver Propulsion Vehicles are very cool. They save air by allowing the diver to effortlessly cruise the ocean from point of interest to point of interest. They also lengthen the diver’s bottom time and increase the area of exploration. Plus they are just plain fun. Now imagine the DVP is you. While it’s not clear if you have to chop off your legs to enjoy this conceptual device, it is clear this thing will get you from point A to point B in no time.

L.O.D.A.S.

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The Long Duration Aquatic Survival suit is a concept dreamed up by Ivan Sokol, Concept Designer, 3d Generalist, Space enthusiast. The original idea for this suit was to be used as by satellite repair engineers, but it could also be adapted to underwater use. While the suit might be a work of total fiction, there are suits out there which come surprisingly close. The Exosuit, for example, is a present-day rendition of concepts like the L.O.D.A.S.

ORB Scuba Diving Helmet

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Rebreathers are becoming more and more prevalent in SCUBA, so it seems logical to include a concept that incorporates this technology. The ORB, which looks a lot like a really cool motorcycle helmet, does just that. Like the TRITON, it theoretically will enable you to breathe underwater without the unwieldy kit setup present-day divers need. According to the designers, the helmet “is designed to stop ears from becoming pressurized. It is also equipped with Bluetooth technology which will allow the wearer to communicate and socialize while underwater.” Sounds good. But divers know that radio waves don’t travel well underwater, so the communication thing might be a little tricky to pull off.

Let me put on my science fiction writer hat, would you? Not that it is happening yet, but futurists are predicting that one day unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, will fill the skies. Performing all kinds of tasks from delivering parcels to patrolling the roads, these aircraft promise to open up a whole new level of technological advancement, and fear, for the populace. But while many people might have their eyes to the skies, they might want to turn their focus a little lower, specifically in the water. Underwater drones are a thing, and they are becoming more and more ubiquitous. Never fear, though. Underwater drones are poised to one day become a savior of the world’s oceans, and one may even save your life.

Current Uses of U/W Drones
I realize that is a bold statement, one that needs to be backed up. I simply feel that with the way the technology is heading, we might someday witness the lifesaving attributes of underwater drones. For one thing, underwater drones are being used in the ocean right now for crucial tasks like searching for the missing MH370, mapping and scanning the seafloor, monitoring environmental spills, wildlife observation and identification, and much more. Now, these activities in and of themselves might not be directly lifesaving, but the data they collect could go a long way in bettering our understanding of the ocean and how to protect it.

Maritime Warfare
One way an unmanned underwater vehicle might save your life is by protecting you against an attack. Terrorists are cunning if nothing else, and it seems nothing is out of bounds when it comes to harming innocents. Our country has thousands of miles of coastline, and patrolling all of it is impossible with humans alone. Using these drones, we could keep our coasts protected from any potential attack from sea.

The Navy is utilizing U/W drones in other ways as well. And as the technology advances, things like greater endurance, greater persistence, greater autonomy and better sensors eventually will make the ocean much more transparent, meaning we will be able to see who is coming at us, when, and from where.

The Future
Are you a SCUBA diver? Imagine a future in which your dive buddy is a robot. Imagine being able to dive without worry because you are being shadowed by an autonomous machine that is constantly monitoring your air intake, air remaining, depth and speed and other vitals like heart rate and respiration. Imagine that this robot will tell you when to surface, when to make a decompression stop, and when a shark is approaching. What if it was taken a step further and the drone had the capability to call for help if you are in trouble. What if the drone could actually rescue you if you were incapacitated? My prediction is that someday underwater drones will do exactly that.

But it doesn’t end with SCUBA. Fishers, paddlers, swimmers—just about anyone who loves the water could use one of these drones for safety. Mark my words. One day it will happen, and probably sooner than you think.

Have you noticed it? Technology is advancing at breakneck speeds. Moore’s Law, the famous theory that states computing power doubles every 18 months, has changed the world. Every time you turn around they are coming out with a new smartphone, a new smart TV, a new smart fridge. Futuristic concepts and designs and products that are here to make our lives easier, happier, more complete. It won’t be long before we see driverless cars. And flying cars probably aren’t far behind. Watercraft design is no different. Though futuristic concepts for incredible watercraft are nothing new (20,000 Leagues Under the Sea was written by Jules Vern in 1870), with the advancements in science and tech lately, some designs are becoming more and more feasible. At this rate, you might be seeing these amazing vessels in the near future.

Chinese Sonic Submarine
Want to travel from San Francisco to Shanghai in less than two hours underwater? Chinese researchers are confident they have come up with a design for a new submarine that can do just that. The Sonic Sub is a completely new design in submerged vessels. Normal subs propel themselves through the water, creating drag that restricts its speed. The Sonic Sub, based on Soviet Cold War technology, creates a bubble of air around itself in a process known as supercavitation. The technology is still being tested, but when completed, the Chinese say the Sonic Sub will cruise at speeds in excess of 3600 miles per hour. Look out for whales!

Underwater JetSki
We divers already know about underwater propulsion devices. Sea scooters come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, but the Nereus is different. Fusing the concept of the sea scooter with a jet ski, the Nereus looks like the Green Goblin’s glider, which is a good thing. Right now it’s in the conceptual phase, but if you were lucky enough to get your hands on one, it would allow you to cruise on the water’s surface and dive for short distances. You go from a swimming to a diving position through the use of intuitive controls and movements of the upper body. Steering would be through the footrests which are connected to the back rudder.

EXO Electric Watercraft
Another JetSki/personal watercraft-type machine, the Exo electric watercraft was first unveiled by EXOCONCEPT at the Cannes Boat Show 2011. All electric, the Eco delivers environmentally friendly sporting fun and can be operated without a license. After 2 years of research and development, the manufacturer says it has designed Exo using the highest performance technology, with the latest generation of high capacity batteries. Because the Exo maxes out at about 30 miles per hour, it is the ideal craft for yacht owners or recreational users who want a relaxing, energy-efficient tour of the lake or water parks.

Fiorella
Now we’re getting really Sci-Fi. Ever seen the Invasion of the Body Snatchers? The Fiorella looks like an oversized pod right out of that cult classic horror film. But this watercraft is anything but a horror. The intricate, flower inspired design upon first glance resembles a giant Faberge egg. However, when the petals come down on the sides, the interior cabin appears. With a subaquatic 360 degree view, convertible sofa-beds, and topside deck, the Fiorella isn’t so much a boat as it is a navigable floating campsite.

Tropical Island Paradise
Yacht Island Design is quite an innovative company with an indelible vision for the future of seafaring. Through their efforts at dreaming up concepts that are truly outside of the conventional modes of maritime construction, Yacht Island Designs has come up with the idea for a new type of watercraft, the, you guessed it, Yacht Island. From the Streets of Monaco (an aircraft carrier sized ship with a Mediterranean Village complete with the famous Grand Prix track) to the Tropical Island Paradise (a ship customized to resemble a South Pacific atoll with a volcano and flowing river) to the Project Utopia (a massive, four-pronged vessel that turns the idea of ship design on its ear) the company prides itself on what it calls, “an avant-garde vision of a future concept free from restricted thought.”

We all came from the sea. Millions of years ago, we evolved lungs and crawled out of the oceans. And ever since we’ve been trying to get back.

The ocean is awe-inspiring . It’s difficult to gaze out at that endless expanse and not allow your imagination to run wild. Artist Robert Henri said, “Why do we love the sea? It is because it has some potent power to make us think things we like to think.” A potent power indeed. Potent enough to encourage some of the most magnificent, if not most ill-conceived, construction projects of all time. The sea is our past, and as some modernist thinkers suggest, it is also our future. The future can hold great promise if these amazing projects ever become a reality:

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Shimizu Mega-City Pyramid
Ideas for futuristic metropolises are nothing new. Science Fiction abounds with domed cities or settlements in the clouds. Most of these ideas are pie in the sky, impractical or plain weird. I’m not sure where the The Mega-City Pyramid lands in that spectrum. Envisioned as a floating pyramid in Tokyo Harbor, ‘giant’ would not be a word sufficient to describe this thing. If ever completed, the structure would be so huge one million residents could live within its walls. The Pyramid design calls for five trusses stacked vertically, each roughly the same size as the Great Pyramid in Giza. Hands down this would hold the record as the largest building on Earth. However, with today’s materials and technology, it is simply impossible. The Mega-City Pyramid would be too big and, due to structural strain, would literally break apart. Someday, with advances in lightweight, ultra strong building material, we might just witness the Mega-City Pyramid in all of its glory.

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Freedom Ship
Ever heard of seasteading? Like homesteading on land, it’s the idea of forming permanent settlements on the sea. The Freedom Ship would be mankind’s first real attempt at seasteading on a grand scale. At 1,317m (that’s nearly one full mile!) long, this floating city would sleep about 50,000 people. A little larger than the average cabin cruiser! The ship would circumnavigate the globe, constantly cruising to a different port of call where residents can visit. Imagine never having to leave your home to travel. The world literally comes to your doorstep. An airport on the top deck of the 25 story behemoth would let airplanes take off and land. If you were to live on the Freedom Ship, you could get a job, go to school, eat out and shop just like if you were in a terrestrial-based city. Sounds really cool, right? Only problem is no one wants to invest in it. Why not? Sounds like fun.

architizer.com

Fiji’s Poseidon Resort
We old timers, those of us who remember a world before the internet, thought that by 2001 we would all be driving around in flying cars. That hasn’t quite panned out, has it? Another idea that hasn’t worked out is the Poseidon Undersea Resort, what would have been the world’s first underwater hotel. With two dozen suites featuring panoramic views the undersea world, the resort was scheduled to open in 2009, then delayed indefinitely. Planned to be located on a private island in Fiji, the resort was supposed to have twenty-two guest rooms, an underwater restaurant and bar, a library, conference room, wedding chapel, spa and one luxury suite. For the paultry sum of $30,000, a couple would have been able to spend one full week in the tropical underwater grandeur. Can’t imagine why it didn’t happen.

techgenmag.com

China’s Underwater Railway Line to America
It sounds too outrageous to believe. It’s the stuff of Science Fiction. However, all indications point to the fact that the Chinese are intent on making their latest high speed rail project a reality. The Chinese government plans to construct an 8,000 mile railway linking China, Russia, Canada, and the U.S. including a 125 mile underwater tunnel! Publicized in the Beijing Times, the country’s official newspaper, the plan seems to have the complete support of Russia. While it would be wonderful to go from China to America without having to get on a plane, people in the know are dubious that such an ambitious project could be feasible.

thefutureofthings.com

Lilypad – Floating City of the Future
Like the Mega-City Pyramid, the Lilypad concept would be a floating city designed with ultra-modern features. But unlike the Mega-City Pyramid, it would be a lot smaller. An ecologically friendly floating city able to house 50,000 people, the Lilypad would produce more energy than it consumes and recycle most of its waste products. Lilypad is designed to meet all of its resident’s needs: food, fresh drinking water, even entertainment. Lilypad integrates almost every renewable energy source you can think of, recycles everything, purifies its own water, and will use advanced techniques to grow food for all of its residents.

These projects are far from reality, but they signify a real movement to move mankind into modernity. Maybe one of these days we will see one or all of these visionary projects in real life and not just as artists concepts.

For the first time in 30 years, Field and Stream, one of the most respected and oldest outdoor sporting magazines, has put a woman on the cover (TV host Eva Shockey). In the periodical’s illustrious 119 year history, that marks only the second time ever that a woman has graced the cover. We have to ask why only twice?

In the magazine’s story “What Next,” Field and Stream explores the future of women in outdoor sports. Shockey, the costar of Jim Shockey’s Hunting Adventures on Outdoor Channel, prognosticates on she what thinks will happen with hunting and the 3.35 million women currently participating in the sport. The number of female hunters grew 10 percent in the four years from 2008 to 2012, and Shockey believes the ranks will continue to grow. She says sales to women at major retailers like Bass Pro Shops are increasing and indicated the number of media outlets emphasizing hunting and women in the outdoors as encouraging signs. Shockey thinks this trend will lead to another breakthrough: the first-ever hunting show hosted only by a female.

It’s difficult to believe that in the year 2014 there hasn’t been an all-woman hunting show. It’s even more difficult to fathom that Field and Stream has only had two women on its cover ever (the first to make the cover was Queen Elizabeth with her hunting dogs in 1976). To be fair, editorially the magazine has supported outdoorswomen with a consistent stories and blogs from the late 1800s to the present. However, twice in almost 120 years? That needs to change.

At USIA, we know that women SCUBA, fish, hunt, kayak, and on and on. You name the sport, and there’s a woman out there somewhere doing it (and oftentimes better than her male counterparts). Heck, one of our favorite fishing and hunting community forums, Ifish.net, was founded and is still operated by Jennie Logsdon Martin, a self-proclaimed L.O.F. (Licensed Oregon Fisherwoman).

Some of our most passionate customers are women, and they are just as eager for adventure and just as demanding on their equipment as the men. We fully support outdoor sportswomen. Everything we manufacture, from our Dry Suits to our Thermal Wear, even our Waders, are available in women’s sizes and stylish colors. So to Eva Shockey, we say congratulations! And to Field and Stream we say, let’s have that third (and fourth, and fifth, and…) woman on your cover real soon.